MOBILE, Alabama -- A public meeting for commercial fishermen and others impacted by the Gulf oil spill is planned for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Alma Bryant High School auditorium in Bayou La Batre. Chris Bryant, an organizer of the event, said he wants area residents affected by the spill to "have a better understanding of what is going on and what we will be facing in the future." Guest speakers include Riki Ott, a marine toxicologist from Alaska who worked as a commercial fisherman during the Exxon-Valdez oil spill; Dr. George Crozier of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab; Dr. Steven Picou, a sociologist at the University of South Alabama, among others, organizers said. The meeting is presented by South Bay Communities Alliance, the Gulf Coast Fund and Bryant. "All of these speakers will be giving us insight on what we are looking at for the future related to our community, the environment, the economy and mental and physical health," Bryant said.